Galaxy
of international athletes to go in action in the marathon scheduled for January
29

From KHALID
BUTT, Lahore
Dec 19 - 25, 2005

A galaxy of top international athletes
from over 20 countries will be seen in action in the second Standard Chartered
Lahore Marathon scheduled for January 29, 2006.

All the top winners of 2005 have
confirmed their entries for the prestigious US$ 100,000 race, which has now
become a permanent feature on the international marathon calendar of AIMS, the
international body, which controls and regulates the marathons worldwide.

With the successful staging of the
maiden event and experience gained, it is expected that the second Lahore
Marathon will be bigger and better and a new bench mark for the Race. The
marathon is expected to attract a larger and enthusiastic number from the local
participants, notably from Indian athletes, in view of more relaxed visa
formalities and growing cordial relations between the two neighboring countries.

LAHORE GETTING READY

Dedicating all proceeds from
registration to the President Relief Fund for earthquake victims, Lahore is
gearing up to host the second Standard Chartered Lahore Marathon to be run in
the city. Following the instant success of the maiden event and projection of
the "soft side" of Pakistan and its enlightened image worldwide, the
Punjab government is organising this mega event in Lahore on 29th January, 2006.
The race unlike last time will be inaugurated from inside the Punjab Stadium and
also conclude there with special ceremonies on each occasion.

After the unprecedented success of
Standard Chartered Lahore Marathon 2005, the Chief Minister's Task Force on
Lahore is organizing the 2nd Standard Chartered Lahore Marathon on 29th January
2006.

"With an improved elite field, a
strong technical team and a large public participation is expected in this
Marathon. Besides promoting the athletic spirit it is dedicated to raise funds
for the President's Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims," said Mr. Ghouse
Akbar, Chairman of the Task Force on Lahore.

Ian Ladbrooke will be the Race Director
once again after his great success with the first race. He has organized
countless marathons around the world and will be assisted by Rupinder Singh and
Nathan John Clayton, who will be Asst. Race Director & Race Referees. Gavin
Lightwood will be the Start & Finish Manager. John Muddeman/Gashaw Zeleke
would act as technical officials Start/Finish with David Cairns functioning as
Time Keeper and Race Official. Messers Publicis Pakistan will be once again
Event Managers for the Standard Chartered Lahore Marathon 2006.